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Trip from Bowling Green, MO to Joplin, MO

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

5h 53m

Distance

297.6 mi

479 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

31 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 41m ★
6 AM
5h 54m
8 AM
6h 20m
10 AM
6h 3m
12 PM
6h 0m
3 PM
6h 4m
5 PM
6h 18m
8 PM
5h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Pike County, Missouri, United States

Bowling Green, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County, Missouri, USA

Joplin, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Bowling Green, MO to Joplin, MO covers 297.6 miles and takes about 5h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 54, I 44, MO 5 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 147.6 miles on US 54. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.53 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

148.8 miles from Bowling Green, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 5h 53m highway drive covering 297.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 54 and I 44. The longest continuous stretch is about 147.6 miles on US 54.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 54 is the longest continuous segment at about 147.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 54 and I 44. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 44.5 miles in near US 54.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 297.6 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 44.5 miles (US 54): Lane positioning matters here; at 150.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
44.5 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | US 54

Turn left onto US 54 toward US 54 West: Jefferson City

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
5
150.1 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in

Take the exit toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon
5
175.8 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in

Take the exit toward I 44 West: Springfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 44 West: Springfield
8
289 mi into trip | ~5h 36m in | I 44 Business; MO 66

Take the exit onto I 44 Business; MO 66 toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 15 Toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin
5
297.6 mi into trip | ~5h 53m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 54 147.6 mi 2h 56m
I 44 113 mi 2h 2m
MO 5 24 mi 29m
I 44 Business 8.5 mi 17m
North Jefferson Avenue 1.6 mi 2m
North 9th Street 0.6 mi <1m
West Main Street 0.4 mi 1m
South Main Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 54 — 147.6 mi, about 2h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bowling Green, MO and Joplin, MO.

1

Start on West Main Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
2

Turn right onto US 61 Business

0.6 mi · 57 sec · North 9th Street
3

Turn left

1.5 mi · 2 min
4

At end of road, turn left onto US 54

9.6 mi · 12 min · US 54
5

Keep slight left at fork onto US 54

14 mi · 19 min · US 54
6

Enter roundabout onto US 54; MO 19

241 ft · 3 sec · US 54; MO 19
7

Continue on US 54; MO 19

8.1 mi · 11 min · US 54; MO 19
8

Enter roundabout onto US 54

62 ft · 0 sec · US 54
9

Continue on US 54

10 mi · 13 min · US 54
10

Turn left onto US 54

106 mi · 1 hr 59 min · US 54
Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City Use the slight right lane.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon
12

Merge onto MO 5; MO 7

24 mi · 29 min · MO 5; MO 7
13

Turn left onto MO 5; MO 64

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Jefferson Avenue
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 44 West: Springfield
15

Merge onto I 44

113 mi · 2 hr 2 min · I 44
16

Take the exit onto I 44 Business; MO 66

8.5 mi · 17 min · I 44 Business; MO 66
Exit 15 Toward I 44 Business, MO 66: Duenweg, Joplin Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 43

156 ft · 7 sec · South Main Street
18

Turn right

60 ft · 6 sec
19

Turn right

83 ft · 6 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 148.8 miles from Bowling Green, MO, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.6 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 148.8 miles or 2h 59m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joplin, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bowling Green, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Bowling Green, MO

This is one driving day of about 297.6 miles and 5h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bowling Green, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 54 for about 147.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 148.8 mi from Bowling Green, MO · 2h 59m into the drive

Downtown Bentonville, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bentonville, AR

149 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Quincy, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bentonville, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 148.8 miles from Bowling Green, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 54 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 147.6 miles.

Arriving in Joplin, MO

The final approach into Joplin, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Joplin, MO.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

George Washington Carver National Monument

George Washington Carver National Monument

National Monument

The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 287.3
View on nps.gov
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 236
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.53 one way

$93.05 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 104 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $51.08 $102.17
premium $4.89 $57.27 $114.54
diesel $5.61 $65.71 $131.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

31 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Jefferson City, MO

Tesla

16 DCFC

Buc-ee's - Tesla Supercharger

Springfield, MO

Tesla

16 DCFC

Macadoodles Fine Wine & Spirits - Tesla Supercharger

Springfield, MO

Tesla

10 DCFC

Hy-Vee - Tesla Supercharger

Osage Beach, MO

Tesla

8 DCFC

Kum & Go #0702 - Tesla Supercharger

Joplin, MO

Tesla

8 DCFC

Joe Machens Capital City Ford

Jefferson City, MO

SYNERGEV

4 DCFC

Dierbergs Markets - Lakeview Pointe

Osage Beach, MO

NOODOE

4 DCFC

Casey's Lebanon (Lebanon, MO)

Lebanon, MO

Electrify America

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 15 Tesla: 5 EV Connect: 3 NOODOE: 2 Electrify America: 2 eVgo Network: 2 SYNERGEV: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 89.3 1 $31.25 $14.28
Efficient EV 74.4 0 $26.04 $11.90
EV Truck/SUV 119 1 $41.66 $19.05

Gas CO2

104 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Bowling Green, MO

Afternoon in Bowling Green on Tuesday

Local time

3:03 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joplin, MO

Afternoon in Joplin on Tuesday

Local time

3:03 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

7 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 53m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Bowling Green, MO to Joplin, MO covers 297.6 miles and takes about 5h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 54, I 44, MO 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 148.8 miles from Bowling Green, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 297.6 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 44.5 miles (US 54): Lane positioning matters here; at 150.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Bowling Green, MO to Joplin, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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